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The only possible exposure I've had to any std was over 3.5 months before I got an ARS-like illness. I attempted penile-vaginal but I didn't fit so I gave up after a few seconds and got a handjob. I can confidently say it was over 3.5 months, and closer to 4 months later when I got sick. I had no swelling of lymph nodes but had many other symptoms: classic flu symptoms, diarrhea, sweats, sore throat and rash on chest. Acute symptoms lasted 3 days, and recooped 2 days after that

I got tested 3 weeks after I recovered and ELISA was positive in non-reactive range (so it was below the cutoff for being positive, though it was slightly reactive) followed by non-reactive Western Blot. The tech said it was a conclusive test but he didn't recommend anything else, and I was so relieved/shocked I forgot to ask.

Should I get tested for any other STDs? I'm 19, I've only had one sexual encounter in my life, not counting kissing. I never noticed ulcers (either transient or long lasting), bladder infections or discharge. What do they test for when they test for "everything"? I'm not sure what I need, if any. Any non-STD things I should test for?

Dubby, generally speaking if you have unprotected intercourse the CDC recommends getting tested at 13 weeks after the most recent such incident. Given what you have described -- the brevity of that single incident -- I'd say it's totally up to you about re-testing or not. If you decide to re-test I certainly expect you will test negative again.

If you haven't already read it please read the lesson on Transmission to which you can find a link in the Welcome Thread at the top of this section. It covers all of the basics you need to know.

As far as other STDs are concerned, we recommend that anyone who's sexually active have a full STD panel done at least annually and more frequently if there are any troublesome symptoms.

It would be extremely unusual to be having ARS this long after a sexual incident. THe average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus. So given what you have described I don't in anyway see this as an HIV situation. Also, for future reference keep in mind that neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. Only an HIV test taken at the proper time will give you that answer reliably.

If you are having symptoms you are concerned about at this point, I would suggest you discuss them with your doctor. I don't see them as being related to ARS or anything about HIV. Really.

Becoming sexually active is both an exciting and often an anxiety provoking time while you are on the journey of learning -- one that really likely will continue all of your life. As long as you follow some basics for safer sex, and most specifically using condoms everytime you have intercourse, you should be fine as far as HIV is concerned.

So what causes ARS? Is it (A.) directly caused by the virus, or (B.) as a result of a portion one's "defenses" being beaten up/depleted, or (C.) as an active response by the body when trying to fight the virus? Or is it a combination of factors?

Any theories why some people don't get symptoms, whereas some people may be hospitalized? Would how intense the symptoms are affect time of seroconversion?

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

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The illness that some, but not all, people experience is the body's reaction to creating antibodies. Certain chemicals are released - this is why the illness is usually very general and flu-like - if it happens in a noticable way at all.

There are far too many variables in each person's situation to have any hard and fast theories as to why some people get very ill while others notice nothing. The ONLY reliable way to know your hiv status is through testing at the appropriate time. Symptoms or even the lack of symptoms are meaningless.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

What does "Antibody detected, Reference range=NR" mean, Non Reactive or Non Reportable?What's the difference between NR. Weakly Reactive, R, and RR?Would NR mean it isn't reactive enough to accurately show up on the scale?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

The telephone rep from the National CDC Hotline said average is 25 days, 97% accurate at 3 months, and 6 months tops. But something I read from the hivtest.org (which is sponsored and maintained by CDC) on the FAQS page said "In rare cases, it can take 6-12 months."

I've heard negative at 3 months is conclusive, but 97% hardly seems conclusive. Are there more accurate numbers?What about the 6-12 month thing, I've never heard of that, especially from CDC.

The rare 3% all ready know when they test that there may be a need for further testing past the 3 months. IV drug users, people on chemo, people on antirejection meds for transplants and people with compromised immune systems.

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That's interesting as I was aware that the information on rapid testing in their website outlines 3 months as conclusive. The again I don't visit the CDC site given the general inconsistencies of their information.There's more to the CDC than HIV information and the same generalities apply throughout.Nuff said

Edited for Rods comments below.That's interesting as in, I'm not surprised, given their generalistiic approach to everything else on their site. And yes, I agree with everything you wrote.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I tested again 7 months after the first test, and it was negative, using blood this time instead of saliva. I don't need any more testing do I? I talked to a couple people who said "yeah, took me 7 tests til it showed an accurate result, you might seroconvert tomorrow" and that i should get a viral load test to be sure and another antibody test to be safe. Is a third test even necessary or is the negative test 7 months after the false pos enough to put it behind me and be confortable being in a sexual relationship with a steady girl friend and if I ever get married, have unprotected sex?